The Hospitality Lens with Tom McNeeney

Posted on 11 Jun 2025

We are delighted to add hospitality to the RDA’s growing Insights series.  In this new addition, Tom McNeeney takes the lead on the fresh Hospitality Lens, a deep dive into what makes an incredible business in an increasingly challenging sector. Though the focus is naturally on hospitality, Tom maintains that the art of exceptional service is something that can benefit any business, large or small.

For those in the hospitality trade, Tom likely needs no introduction. A passionate advocate for the sector both locally and nationally, he is a well-known voice in the region and a tireless champion of independent business. 

About Tom
Tom is a proud publican and champion of Rochdale both locally and nationally, the name McNeeney has become synonymous in the town for service, for food and for community thanks to the continued efforts of Tom and his family. 

Alongside the McNeeney family, Tom brings his expertise to life at The Oxford, an award-winning Rochdale pub that has proudly served its community for over 13 years. Built on strong local support and a commitment to excellence, The Oxford has become a benchmark for success in the sector. With Tom at its heart, the business continues to thrive, cementing his reputation as one of the North West’s most respected figures in hospitality.

With over fifteen years of experience in an ever changing trade Tom has walked a fine line of embracing the new landscape of hospitality while never losing touch of the deep roots his family have in this historic trade.  With stints in content creation as well as business development he’s had countless opportunities to show the difference a good eye and a creative approach can have to any hospitality business. 

Over the years Tom has demonstrated a keen eye for trends in the hospitality trade and lent his expertise to several other companies across Greater Manchester helping them establish brands, relaunch businesses and realise the full potential of their offerings. 

Why hospitality matters:
In a business landscape where human interactions are becoming less and less frequent hospitality remains a corner of the world where genuine personal interactions carry incredible weight and shape every experience. The art of service, the very nature of being hospitable, is a skill that transfers seamlessly into every other arm of business, at any level, at any size.

The sometimes forgotten art of exceeding expectations is sadly becoming the exception rather than the rule but an incredible resource in the arsenal of any successful operation, as the world embraces more and more automation one incredible human interaction can build more brand loyalty than ever before.

What to expect from the Hospitality Lens
Hospitality is one of the world’s oldest and most enduring trades. More than just service, it’s about connection, meeting needs, exceeding expectations, and creating lasting impressions. 

With his proven track record in providing personal and engaging customer service, driving business development, and excelling in communication, Tom brings both experience and passion to every interaction. His expertise also spans social media and marketing, and he has a particular talent for building meaningful community connections, skills that continue to define successful hospitality operations in today’s fast-changing world. 

Over the coming months, Tom will be sharing insights and exploring key topics through the hospitality lens, including:

- Focusing on creating memorable customer experiences
- Building a sense of community around your business
- Helping your operation reach the market it deserves
- Embracing new technology alongside traditional methods
- Seeing marketing & press as much a part of small businesses as large

While hospitality is obviously the field with most to benefit through this knowledge, this series should be of interest to any business in Rochdale where you interact with people.